BISHOP SUPPORTS JANUARY 6 COMMISSION

May 19, 2021
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-02) released the following statement after the United States House of Representatives approved H.R. 3233, the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act, by a bipartisan vote of 252 to 175.

"The insurrection that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 was an attempt to prevent Congress from doing its duty under the Constitution to ratify the results of the 2020 Presidential election. It also resulted in the deaths of seven Americans, two of whom were U.S. Capitol Police, and caused emotional and mental trauma for countless others. Establishing a National Commission to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation of the events on that day is both urgent and necessary. Inaction – or just moving on – is simply not an option."

Key features of the Commission established by H.R. 3233 are:

  • The Commission will be charged with:
    - investigating and reporting upon the facts and causes of the January 6th attack on the Capitol as well as the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy;
    - examining and evaluating evidence developed by relevant Federal, State, and local governments, in a manner that is respectful of ongoing investigations, regarding the facts and circumstances of the attack;
    - building upon other investigations regarding the attack and targeted violence and domestic terrorism-related to such attack; and
    - reporting to the President and Congress regarding its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for corrective measures taken to prevent future acts of targeted violence and domestic terrorism, including against American democratic institutions, improve the security posture of the United States Capitol Complex in a manner that preserves the accessibility of the Capitol Complex for all Americans, and strengthen the security and resilience of nation and American democratic institutions against domestic terrorism.
  • Like the 9/11 Commission, the measure establishes a 10-person bipartisan commission with five commissioners, including:
    - the Chair, appointed by the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate; and
    - five commissioners, including the Vice-Chair, appointed by the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.
  • Commissioners must have significant expertise in the areas of law enforcement, civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, intelligence, and cybersecurity. Current government officers or employees are prohibited from appointment.
  • Like the 9/11 Commission, the Commission will be granted authority to issue subpoenas to secure information to carry out its investigation but only upon agreement between the Chair and the Vice-Chair or a vote by a majority of Commission members.
  • The Commission will be required to issue a final report with findings regarding the facts and causes of the attack, along with recommendations to prevent future attacks on our democratic institutions, by December 31, 2021.

More information on the National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act can be found here.